ASHBURN, VA — The Washington Commanders’ offseason program is now nearly a month in the rearview, and training camp is on the calendar: rookies report July 24, veterans report July 28, and the first practice is set for July 29 at the BigBearAI Performance Center, according to the team’s official camp announcement. Several practices will be open to the public on Aug. 1, 7, 8, 18 and 19.
All-Pro Reels was on the field for all three days of mandatory minicamp last month — see our recaps from Day One, Day Two and Day Three, along with head coach Dan Quinn’s comments on the linebacker room and Jacory Croskey-Merritt’s development. Here’s what to watch once pads come on.
Position battles. The team’s own training camp preview series has flagged several open competitions: center, where Nick Allegretti holds what the team calls the inside track over Julian Good-Jones; left guard, between Chris Paul and Brandon Coleman; kicker, between Jake Moody and Drew Stevens; and the No. 3 quarterback job, between Sam Hartman and rookie Athan Kaliakmanis.
A scheme shift on offense. New offensive coordinator David Blough is expected to move Washington’s offense away from the shotgun-heavy system run under former OC Kliff Kingsbury and toward more under-center formations and play-action, per the team’s camp preview coverage — a change worth watching closely once camp practices start.
Running back competition. Croskey-Merritt missed some OTA time this spring with an undisclosed soft-tissue injury but returned for all three days of minicamp. He now heads into camp competing with Rachaad White, Jerome Ford and rookie Kaytron Allen for the lead role in the backfield.
Quarterback and receiver health. General manager Adam Peters said in May that Jayden Daniels is fully healthy after a 2025 season shortened by knee, hamstring and elbow injuries, with Daniels training with private coaches in Los Angeles over the offseason, per Newsweek. Terry McLaurin, who signed a three-year extension worth up to $96 million last August, returns as Daniels’ top target.
Roster depth. Washington added cornerback depth this offseason, signing Rasul Douglas to a one-year deal worth up to $3.8 million.
All-Pro Reels will be back on the field when camp opens July 29 with continued coverage of the Commanders’ push toward the 2026 season.